Concern lockdown will raise abuse risk
Rape Crisis workers in Argyll are expecting a significant increase in the numbers of people turning to them for help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pressures of lockdown and no escape from abusive situations in the home will take their toll, warns Jean Campbell, senior support and advocacy worker at Oban’s Rape Crisis.
As well as women and men struggling with abusive situations happening now, workers also expect to see an increase in historic cases.
Jean said: ‘At the start of the crisis, people we were supporting were not engaging with us as much because they, like everyone else, were distracted by making preparations for lockdown. Now they are continuing to pick up support and we have been receiving new referrals. Our expectations are we will get more as the crisis goes on.
‘Being in lockdown is also likely to trigger people who have not reported historic abuse to want to talk it out.
‘We are expecting a fairly significant increase in people looking for our support and we are here to give it.’
She added: ‘People will be struggling to share space, especially if before they were going out to work, meeting up with friends or going to play groups. It gave them something to get away to but they don’t have that escape now we are in lockdown.
‘It does not make it easy for people to get the privacy to ask for help but we are here. We are not able to meet face to face but we can still offer our full support, talking on the phone or do video calls and we can still support people who go to the police if they want to report a rape or sexual abuse,’ said Jean.
More alcohol and drug taking is another concern.
‘There are other pressures now, boredom, frustrated children, money worries. If there’s a split parenting situation, people might be worried about children being at risk in the other home. There’s more drinking going on at home and drug taking that can also add to stress and danger,’ added Jean.
The Scottish Government has responded quickly to concerns during the crisis by making extra funding available to Rape Crisis and Women’s Aid. The organisations’ staff have also been recognised as essential workers. And there is reassurance domestic abuses cases across Scotland will continue to be processed vigourously by police and judicial systems during the pandemic.
Helpline numbers are 07741 645539 for Rape Crisis or 01369 706636 for Women’s Aid. Anyone needing help can also email info@ab-roc.org.uk. If in immediate danger, call 999.